Executive Director, Loeb Institute & Tenured Professor of Political Science

Executive Director, Loeb Institute & Tenured Professor of Political Science

WittKieffer is assisting The George Washington University in this search. To apply, submit an online application through Wittkieffer. Applicants must upload a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, CV or resume, a research statement, and a teaching statement. Review of applications will begin on March 31, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Only complete applications will be considered. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Melody Rose, Ph.D. and Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, Ph.D. at View email address on click.appcast.io

The George Washington University invites applications for a dual-appointment leadership position: Executive Director of the Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr. Institute for Religious Freedom and Democracy and Tenured Professor (Associate/Full Professor) in the Department of Political Science. We seek a distinguished scholar specializing in Religion and Politics to lead the Institute's academic mission and public engagement. This position begins as early as Fall 2026.

The Role The successful candidate will serve as the intellectual and administrative head of the Loeb Institute while maintaining a robust faculty presence within the Department of Political Science. This is a full-time, tenured appointment.

Executive Director of the Loeb Institute: Housed within the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS), the Loeb Institute serves as a premier center for academic collaboration. It is dedicated to fostering dialogue on religious understanding and the separation of church and state, inspired by George Washington's words: "to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance."

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: As the Executive Director: Intellectual Leadership: Provide the vision for the Institute's scholarly activities, ensuring it remains a leading hub for research on religious freedom and its role in democracy. Research Oversight: Oversee the Institute's core initiatives, faculty research grants, and student fellowships. Programmatic Stewardship: Direct the Institute's public-facing work, including symposia, academic conferences, and educator workshops designed to bridge the gap between scholarly research and public understanding. Administrative Management: Oversee the Institute's staff, budget, and daily operations to support its mission of interdisciplinary collaboration across religion, peace studies, history, and political science. As Professor of Political Science: Scholarship: Maintain an active, theoretically-oriented research agenda in the field of Religion and Politics, evidenced by a high-impact record of peer-reviewed publications. Teaching & Mentorship: Teach graduate and undergraduate courses in political science and mentor students within the department. Service: Participate in the life of the Department of Political Science and the broader University through service and academic leadership.

Minimum Qualifications: Education: A Ph.D. or doctoral degree in Political Science or a closely related field is required. Academic Standing: A record of research sufficient to merit a tenured appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. Subject Matter Expertise: Deep scholarly knowledge and active research agenda on religion and democracy, religious freedom, or church-state relations. Leadership Experience: Demonstrated experience in academic administration, including strategic planning, program development, and collaborating across diverse academic disciplines.

Advertised Salary: $140,000 - $175,000

Other Benefits: The successful applicant will be eligible for GW's employee benefits including medical, dental, and retirement. A full explanation of those benefits is available at

The university and department have a strong commitment to recruiting faculty of the highest caliber who have thrived in different environments and would enrich the university with different experiences and perspectives.

Applicants must upload a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, CV or resume, a research statement, and a teaching statement. Review of applications will begin on March 31, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Only complete applications will be considered.

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter
3. Statement of Teaching Interest
4. Statement of Research Interest
5. Sample Publications

Optional Documents

1. Names and Contact Information for References
2. Course Evaluations or Summaries